Knapp

The castle at Pulverbatch has long since been known as the Knapp which is a word derived from the old english 'cneap', meaning a hillock; there are several other knapps in the surrounding area.

The motte and double bailey was constructed in the 12th century and is first mentioned in texts of the period in 1153. Historians are divided as to whether it was already deserted by the beginning of the 13th century but it was certainly out of use later in the 13th century. Only the castle earthworks remain today but they would originally have borne wooden structures, a castle tower on the mound and domestic dwellings on the adjacent inner and outer baileys.

A weekly market and an annual fair, first granted in 1254, may have been held on the site. Fairs were certainly held here within living memory.

A little more information can be gathered from local residents who have always lived here. Management appears to have been minimal with haphazard grazing by passing or trespassing cattle or sheep. There were certainly fewer trees on the Knapp on its lower slopes and there has been dumping of garden rubbish and spoil on the monument itself. The Pulverbatch Home Guard used this strategic site as a lookout during the second world war and one or two of the hollows within the site were excavated for this purpose.

The Knapp has been consistently used for recreation by residents of Pulverbatch and neighbouring villages, although use by motorcyclists as a trials course was ill advised and detrimental to the monument. It has also been used for a variety of larger village gatherings such as church services, brass band concerts etc. and is maintained by the Friends of Castle Pulverbatch.

In the early 1970's the whole of the Knapp area went up in flames when the brush caught fire.

A public footpath runs right around the site, going down the steep slope below the Knapp and then climbing back up to run through the now tree-shaded ditch protecting the outer bailey which is known locally as 'lovers' lane'.